Raul Castro Fast Facts

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Updated 11:57 AM ET, Mon December 25, 2017

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Cuban acting President Raul Castro participates in a military parade on December 2, 2006 at the Revolution Square to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Army and the 80th birthday of his brother, Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Timeline:1953 - Attempts, along with his older brother Fidel Castro, to overthrow the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, after which both are sentenced to 15 years in prison. They are released less than two years later as part of an amnesty for political prisoners. Both go into exile in Mexico.

1991 - Helps Cuba navigate a severe financial crisis after the fall of the Soviet Union.

October 1997 - Cuba's Communist Party officially designates Raul Castro as Fidel Castro's successor should he die or be unable to perform his duties.

2001 - In an interview with Cuban state television, Raul Castro says he'd like to see Cuba improve its relationship with the United States: "I am among those who believe that it would be in imperialism's interest to try, with our irreconcilable differences, to normalize relations as much as possible during Fidel's life."

May 10, 2015 - Meets Pope Francis for the first time. They talk for 50 minutes at the Vatican. Castro thanks the Pope for facilitating talks between Cuba and the United States. He later says he may rejoin the Catholic Church.

March 20-22, 2016 - During a historic trip to Cuba, Obama visits Raul Castro to discuss human rights and ending the economic embargo. Obama is the first sitting president to visit Cuba since 1928, when Calvin Coolidge traveled to the island via boat.

November 25, 2016 - Announces the death of Fidel Castro on Cuban state-run media.